At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead shifts and support young people in a nurturing residential environment.
- Company: Care and Support Services, dedicated to making a difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, sleep-in payments, comprehensive training, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with genuine opportunities for growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young lives while developing your career in childcare.
- Qualifications: Experience with children, ideally in residential care, and a Level 3 Diploma preferred.
Care and Support Services are recruiting experienced and compassionate Senior Residential Support Practitioners/Team Leaders to join our children’s residential homes in Wolverhampton and Walsall.
About the Role
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about making a genuine difference in the lives of children and young people. You will play an important role in supporting young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD), helping to provide a safe, stable and nurturing home environment.
Working alongside the Registered Manager and wider care team, you will help lead shifts, support colleagues and ensure consistently high standards of child-centred, trauma-informed care. You will support the smooth and safe running of the home by leading shifts, mentoring colleagues, building positive relationships with children and young people, and promoting a calm, consistent and nurturing environment. You will support young people with daily routines, education, appointments, activities and independence skills, while helping them to manage emotions and behaviour using appropriate de-escalation and therapeutic approaches. You will also support the implementation of care plans, placement plans and risk assessments, maintain accurate records and incident reports, administer medication in line with policies, and work closely with colleagues, families, social workers and other professionals. Flexibility is required as the role involves working as part of a rota, including days, weekends, nights and sleep-ins where required.
Requirements
- Previous experience supporting children and young people, ideally within a residential childcare setting
- Experience supporting young people with EBD, SEMH, trauma or complex needs is highly desirable
- A Level 3 (or higher) Diploma in Residential Childcare, Children and Young People, or a relevant equivalent qualification is preferred
- Previous experience as a Residential Senior Support Practitioner or experience leading shifts would be advantageous
- Good understanding of safeguarding and child protection
- Knowledge of trauma-informed or therapeutic approaches, such as PACE, would be advantageous
- Confident in managing challenging situations and supporting positive behaviour
- Strong communication, teamwork and record-keeping skills
- Resilient, compassionate and able to maintain professional boundaries
- Flexibility to work according to the needs of the home and young people
- A full UK driving licence is desirable
What We Offer
- £13.00 – £14.50 per hour, depending on experience
- Sleep-in payments, where applicable
- Comprehensive induction training program as well as ongoing bespoke training
- Supportive management and central support teams
- Opportunities for continued professional development
- Genuine career progression within a growing organisation
We are passionate about developing our people and supporting long-term careers in residential childcare. For the right candidate, there are opportunities to progress from Residential Senior Support Worker to Team Leader, Deputy Manager and, ultimately, Registered Manager.
If you are an experienced care professional who is ready to take the next step in your career and help create positive outcomes for children and young people, we would love to hear from you. Apply now to join Care and Support Services and become part of a team committed to providing safe, nurturing and high-quality homes for young people.
All recruiting are subject to safer recruitment checks, including an Enhanced DBS with Children’s Barred List check, satisfactory references, Right to Work checks and verification of relevant qualifications. Your personal data will be handled in accordance with UK GDPR and our recruitment and privacy procedures.
SSW / Team Leader – Children’s Homes in Wolverhampton employer: Care & Support Services
Care and Support Services is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people. With a strong focus on professional development, we offer comprehensive training and clear pathways for career progression, from Senior Support Worker to Team Leader and beyond. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and compassion, ensuring that our team members are equipped to provide high-quality, trauma-informed care in a nurturing environment in Wolverhampton and Walsall.
Contact Details:
Care & Support Services Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SSW / Team Leader – Children’s Homes in Wolverhampton
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Care & Support Services.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Care & Support Services!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Care & Support Services, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Care & Support Services or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace SSW / Team Leader – Children’s Homes in Wolverhampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Care & Support Services:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Care & Support Services! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Care & Support Services
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
